Upcoming Speakers
December 2nd, 2024 – “Tackling All Skills Through Task Analysis for All: Child, Parent, and Adult” with Robin Rettie, M.Ed.
As special education expert with a lifelong dedication to supporting individuals with neurological and genetic differences, Robin Rettie founded Lighthouse Learning Resources to assist parents and schools in collaborating for their children’s education. Inspired by her sister’s challenges with microcephaly, Rettie developed the Anchor Teaching Framework, a scientific approach focused on self-awareness and regulation through understanding the nervous system. This framework, combined with research-based tools and strategies, empowers children to take control of their behavior, shifting responsibility away from parents and educators. Rettie’s extensive experience in special education, coupled with her training in various neurological and behavioral areas, allows her to provide comprehensive educational consulting, employment training, and professional development services.
January 6th, 2025 – “The Neuroscience Behind Emotional Dysregulation and ADHD” with Dr. Ron Swatzyna
Dr. Ronald J. Swatzyna is a clinician and researcher specializing in brain dysfunction. He is a licensed social worker with expertise in neurofeedback and EEG-based treatment for mental health. He has extensive experience in treating complex cases and has published research on the topic. Dr. Swatzyna is also a veteran and his personal experience with trauma motivates his work in this field. He has presented over 70 studies including 15 publications and two book chapters. He is a popular conference speaker throughout the United States and around the world, with international presentations in over eight countries England, Denmark, Italy, Canada, The Netherlands, Germany, and Australia.
February 3rd, 2025 – “ADHD Effect on Marriage” with Tami Anderson Marriage & Family Therapist, MS, LMFT
Tami Anderson is an experienced ADHD and Marriage Consultant that has been helping couples and individuals focus on issues of intimacy, communication and developing the intentional, meaningful connections that lead to hope and playfulness in their relationships.
With over 25 years experience, she has a deep expertise in, and understanding of, how ADHD impacts couples and is a consultant with Melissa Orlov’s ADHD & Marriage Consulting Group. She has broad training that informs her work, including family systems and psychology and theology and has worked in clinical, non-profit, ministry, and higher education settings. She is a certified yoga instructor and pays attention to the mind-body connection and somatic work that impacts relationships and self.
March 3rd, 2025 – “Dispelling Myths about ADHD: What does the research show?” by Mary Eaddy Baker
Mary has over 35 years experience in working with individuals with ADHD and their families. As Executive Director of the state parent training and information agency (PRO-Parents of SC) she assisted families and educators throughout South Carolina and nationally in understanding ADHD and the impact on their children’s education and lives. She trained under national experts in the area of ADHD, however, her personal experience in parenting two children with ADHD has had the largest impact on her knowledge and understanding.
April 7th, 2025 – “Current concerns and trends with IEP’s and 504 Plans. Planning for the next school year.” with Susan Bruce
Susan Bruce is the CEO Special Education Advocacy and Consulting. of the Carolinas. Susan has over 25 years experience in the area of special education, civil rights law and ADHD with a special focus on learning disabilities, reading. and students with behavioral difficulties.
She has assisted families in obtaining appropriate services for their children throughout the South Carolina and North Carolina.
Through her position with the state parent training and information center and then through her own consulting agency, Susan has trained parents, teachers, professionals and attorneys nationwide in special education, civil rights law and advocacy.
She is a regular presenter for Council of Parent Advocates and Attorneys (COPAA) where she has served on the board on the directors. As the parent of grown children with learning disabilities, autism and ADHD, Susan has gained much practical life experience which she brings to her work as an advocate for students with disabilities.
Previous Speakers
November 4th, 2024 – “Assistive Technology: Supports for Executive Function Deficits” with Shannon Paige, M.A., CCC-SLP
Shannon is a speech language pathologist with over 20 years of experience in assistive technology, especially for communication (AAC). After serving in the Navy, she earned degrees in Communication Disorders and worked in various settings like rehab and schools. Now, she promotes the use of assistive technology to improve independence and communication for people with disabilities.
During our November meeting, Shannon will discuss the challenges faced by people with executive function deficits. These difficulties can affect them in various environments, making tasks like planning and organization hard. There’s no cure, but strategies and tools can help them be more independent. The session will focus on identifying these challenges, helpful tools, and resources for support.
Resource Link (TTAP AT & Executive Function):
https://padlet.com/STPaige/ttap-at-executive-function-yvp4wzcsbocpzbug
April 8th, 2024 – “ADHD and Anxiety” by Dr. Jay Soileau
Earl J. Soileau, MD, is a Family Medicine physician and clinical instructor with the Louisiana State University Health Services Center-New Orleans Family Medicine Residency Program at Memorial. A graduate of Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge and the Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans, Dr. Soileau completed his Family Medicine Residency at W.O. Moss Regional Hospital in Lake Charles, and a Fellowship in Adolescent Medicine at the University of Alabama School of Medicine in Birmingham. Dr. Soileau has a special interest in treating patients with ADHD; he is also the parent of young people with ADHD.
December 4th, 2023 – “ADHD Medications” by Dr. Jay Soileau
Earl J. Soileau, MD, is a Family Medicine physician and clinical instructor with the Louisiana State University Health Services Center-New Orleans Family Medicine Residency Program at Memorial. A graduate of Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge and the Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans, Dr. Soileau completed his Family Medicine Residency at W.O. Moss Regional Hospital in Lake Charles, and a Fellowship in Adolescent Medicine at the University of Alabama School of Medicine in Birmingham. Dr. Soileau has a special interest in treating patients with ADHD; he is also the parent of young people with ADHD.
October 2nd, 2023 – “LD and ADHD: Differences and Accommodations” by Dr. Analisa Smith
Dr. Analisa Smith is an educational specialist, teacher, and professor with over 30 years preK-college experience. She is certified in two states, 13 fields with over 25 years of LD/Disability advocacy.
September 11th, 2023 – “Getting out of the Door without Losing Your…” by Mary Baker
May 1st, 2023: “Summer Survival with ADHD” by Mary Baker
(with open discussion)
April 3rd, 2023: ”ADHD and Emotions” by Mary Baker
Mary is the retired Executive Director of the Parent Training Information and Assistance agency for S. C. where she advocated for appropriate education services for children at the state and federal level. She has over 30 years’ experience in working with and educating families of children with all disabilities and special healthcare needs (especially ADHD) focusing on appropriate education services. . She also has over 30 years of training and experience in attention deficit disorder with her most relative experience being raising her own children with ADHD.
March 6th , 2023: ”Anxiety and ADHD” by Amanda Storm, LMFT
Amanda graduated from Winthrop with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a minor in Psychology. She went on to earn her Master of Arts in Psychology from Appalachian State University in December of 2001 and became a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Through professional and volunteer roles, Amanda has over 20 years of experience working with adolescents and their families. She is currently working at the Adolescent Recovery Center where the team supports teens transitioning back into school and community roles after a mental health crisis. Amanda has worked in other mental health settings to include outpatient therapy, schools, assessment, crisis management, and corrections. Amanda has worked in these settings to help with treatment and adjustment to ADHD symptoms and ways this impacts the family dynamics.
February 6th, 2023: “Executive Functioning – The Conductor of all things ADHD” by Chris Dendy
Educating teens, preteens, and young adults about their attention deficit is critically important yet difficult to achieve. Because so few materials are available, Chris has helped develop several resources that may help families cope with this challenging condition.
Executive function is the cognitive skills that help us organize thoughts and activities, prioritize tasks, manage time efficiently, and make decisions. Executive function skills are the skills that help us establish structures and strategies for managing projects and determine the actions required to move each project forward. Individuals with executive dysfunction often struggle to analyze, plan, organize, schedule, and complete tasks at all — or on deadline. They misplace materials, prioritize the wrong things, and get overwhelmed by big projects.
January 2nd, 2023: ”Planning for Transition to Post -Secondary Education with ADHD” by Ruth Hughes, Ph.D
Ruth has been a national leader in the field of ADHD for many years. She was CEO of Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder (CHADD) where she advocated at the federal level to ensure the rights and access to treatment for children and adults with ADHD. She instituted a parent-to-parent program and a teacher-to-teacher training program. Her most important experience has been raising a son with ADHD and LD.
Ruth now works with students with disabilities at Howard Community College. Her passion is finding ways to help young people with ADHD transition to adulthood.
November 7th, 2022: ”ADHD & Nutrition” by Dr. Lorrianne Morrow
Dr Morrow specializes in treating clients who struggle with mood issues such as anxiety, depression, and OCD and ADHD. I also work with clients such as executives and athletes to reach their peak performance. Clients have found much better results when they incorporate Neurofeedback with counseling. Neurofeedback clients can be as young as 5 years.
She is a licensed professional counselor, a licensed professional counseling supervisor, a Board-Certified Neurotherapist (BCIA), and a NASM Certified Personal Trainer. I completed my B.A. at Texas A&M University Magna Cum Laude in Psychology and Sociology. I obtained my M.A. Summa Cum Laude in Clinical Psychology from University of Houston Clear Lake.
I own LG Counseling & Houston Brain Houston Brain Center- for 12+ years we have provided exceptional client care for a variety of mental health-related services including counseling, immigration-related psychological evaluations, ADHD assessments and more. I use a variety of innovative techniques to help my clients make improvements throughout their lives.
October 3rd, 2022: ”Video Games and ADHD” by Dr. Ron Swatzyna
Dr. Swatzyna is a clinical researcher who has published and presented over 70 studies including 15 publications and two book chapters. He is a popular conference speaker throughout the United States and around the world, with international presentations in over eight countries England, Denmark, Italy, Canada, The Netherlands, Germany, and Australia.
September 12th, 2022: ”Back to School with ADHD” by Mary Eaddy Baker
Mary is the retired Executive Director of the Parent Training Information and Assistance agency for S. C. where she advocated for appropriate education services for children at the state and federal level. She has over 30 years’ experience in working with and educating families of children with all disabilities and special healthcare needs (especially ADHD) focusing on appropriate education services. . She also has over 30 years of training and experience in attention deficit disorder with her most relative experience being raising her own children with ADHD.
May 2nd, 2022: “Love and Logic” by Rene Sharkey
Rene Sharkey is a certified trainer in “Love and Logic”. She is a trainer for S.C. Foster Parent Association and was formerly with PRO-Parents of S. C. as the SC KIDS Project Coordinator . She has over 20 years experience with SC Department of Juvenile Justice and PRO-Parents of S. C. as well first hand experience as an adoptive and foster parent of children with ADHD. Rene is trained and experienced in ADHD, Learning Disabilities, Positive Behavior Intervention, Special Education laws and their implementation.
“Love and Logic” is an approach to parenting built around the science of caring and respectful relationships. An authentic, loving connection between parents and their children forms the foundation of good behavior and healthy decision-making. Sounds easy enough but never before in history have parents been faced with so many challenges! Love and Logic can work with children with ADHD of all ages.
April 4th, 2022: ”The Neurological Abnormalities that Produce ADD Symptoms and Their Treatments” by Dr. Ron Swatzyna
Knowing what is the cause of your symptoms is particularly true if you have failed 2 or more medication attempts. New technology now provides scientific evidence linking an individual’s symptoms to specific neurological findings. Dr. Swatzyna works with a team of international brain scientists that uses advanced technology (EEG/qEEG brain mapping) to assist psychiatrists with medication selection and treatment planning.
Dr. Swatzyna is a clinical researcher who has published and presented over 70 studies including 15 publications and two book chapters. He is a popular conference speaker throughout the United States and around the world, with international presentations in over eight countries England, Denmark, Italy, Canada, The Netherlands, Germany, and Australia.
February 7th, 2022: “ADD Coaching for Children and Adults”
by Jeremy Didler, LMSW
Jeremy has 10 years of extensive experience with kids, parents & adults with ADHD as an ICF/ADDCA certified ADHD coach and LMSW. Didier works with ImpactParents as a parent coach, and she’s also the group founder and co-coordinator of Kansas City’s CHADD Chapter, ADHDKC. She sits on the CHADD National board of directors, she is an author, a nationally recognized speaker and a passionate advocate for adults with ADHD, with a focus on the under diagnosis of girls & women with ADHD, substance use disorder, and executive function skills training.
During the February meeting, she will talk about what ADHD coaching is, how we’re trained, how and why it works for kids, parents of kids with ADHD, and adults with ADHD, when you should seek therapy vs. ADHD coaching, common areas of focus in ADHD coaching for adults and kids.
January 3rd, 2022: ” Launching into Young Adulthood” by Chris Dendy
The quantum leap from high school into young adulthood and the work world can be especially challenging for teens with ADHD and LD. Scientific evidence indicates that ADHD can result in up to a three- to five-year delay in brain maturation and executive functioning skills. Consequently, many young people with ADHD and LD may not be developmentally ready to meet the demands of this transition. Many key executive skills that are critical for success in middle and high school are also essential for success in the work world. This session offers guidance regarding strategies you can use now to provide the foundation for teens and young adults to launch successfully into the work world.
December 6th, 2021: “Importance of Neurobiology”
by Dr. Roni Caw
Dr. Caw provides counseling from ages 6 and above with experience in assessment and treatment of a variety of emotional and mental issues that include Anxiety Disorders, Bipolar, Depression, and Childhood Disorders, as well as relationship issues for couples, married and unmarried. In general, he provides counseling to children, adolescents, adults, families, and LGBTQ. He has previously created and implemented individualized anger management programs for children, adolescents, and adults, as well as group training in anger management. In addition, he has expertise in the field of special education in areas such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder built upon his prior work as a juvenile correctional officer, residential counselor, substitute teacher, and special education community liaison.
November 1st, 2021: “Strategies for ADHD students”
by Kathy Kuhl
Kathy Kuhl helps families help their children overcome learning challenges. Her first book, Homeschooling Your Struggling Learner, helps families who are considering homeschooling, as well as experienced homeschoolers with children who learns differently, and also also “anyone work works with struggling learners,” as reviewer Dr. Barbara Ingersoll noted. Her second book, Staying Sane as You Homeschool, offers parents encouragement and insights to help them and their families thrive as they homeschool.
Kathy Kuhl equips and encourages parents to help children with learning challenges. She speaks to and consults with parents internationally, combining a wealth of information and insight with practical suggestions, humor, and personal experience.
In her presentation, Kathy will discuss adapting the home environment to help students learn, sensory practices that improve ability to focus, tools for parents (parental controls, schedule, weekly reviews, bedtime, priorities) and stress reducers for kids and parents.
